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Slow-Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 87 reviews
  • Author: Megane
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 6 hrs 20 mins
  • Total Time: 6 hrs 30 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Slow-Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, lemony herb sauce. The combination of fresh thyme, rosemary, garlic, and lemon zest creates a bright and savory profile, while the slow cooker makes preparation effortless, resulting in juicy, melt-in-your-mouth chicken perfect for a cozy meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 1 1/2 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 4)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 4 Tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

For the Sauce

  • 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 3 thyme sprigs, plus fresh thyme for garnish
  • 1 rosemary sprig
  • 2 Tbsp. water
  • 2 tsp. cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice


Instructions

  1. Season and Brown the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the chicken in an even layer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer the browned chicken to a 5-quart slow cooker.
  2. Deglaze and Add Aromatics: Pour the chicken stock into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom to incorporate flavor. Pour this stock over the chicken in the slow cooker. Add finely chopped shallot, garlic, thyme sprigs, and rosemary sprig to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours, until the chicken is very tender. Discard herb stems afterward.
  3. Thicken the Sauce: About 20 minutes before cooking is finished, whisk together water and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker along with the heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Gently mix to combine and continue cooking on the same setting for about 20 minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened and heated through.
  4. Serve: Divide the chicken among plates, spoon the creamy lemon herb sauce over the top, and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs. Serve immediately for a delicious, aromatic meal.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, brown the chicken thoroughly before slow cooking to add depth to the sauce.
  • Adjust the lemon juice and zest to taste if you prefer a more tangy or subtle lemon flavor.
  • This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up the creamy sauce.
  • If you want to reduce fat, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but note the sauce will be less rich.
  • Make sure to discard the thyme and rosemary stems before serving to avoid woody bits in the dish.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 370
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 540mg
  • Fat: 23g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 34g
  • Cholesterol: 110mg